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Approach

ACTwatch

ACTwatch measured nationally representative surveys to all public and private health outlets or households within selected regions. Each survey indicator was measured over time and across countries through three study components: outlet surveys, supply chain studies, and household surveys.

The collection and processing of these data provided sound evidence for country-specific policy recommendations. The use of standardized indicators allowed for broad trends to be identified and global policy recommendations to be implemented into policy and action.

Study Types

Outlet Survey (PSI): Monitored trends in the availability, volumes, and prices of antimalarials in the public and private sectors, which included the informal sector. The survey was nationally representative and encompassed all outlet types with the potential to sell antimalarials, from hospitals to private pharmacies to street hawkers. The survey was conducted periodically over the life of the project.

Household Survey (PSI) (2008-2012): Examined trends in the levels of household use of different antimalarials and their source. It also identified the determinants of use (health seeking behaviour) of antimalarials. The survey was nationally representative, and conducted at baseline and during year four.

Supply Chain Research (LSHTM) (2008-2012): Identified the determinants of price and availability of antimalarials at different levels of the supply chain, including markups at each level. The study collected nationally representative information along the supply chain from importer/manufacturer to retailer using a systematic sampling approach, and a structured survey alongside qualitative research methods.

Key Informant Interviews:Conducted with stakeholders at all levels in the public and private sectors to provide complementary qualitative information on markets, supply chain, country context, and policy environment.

Exit interviews (as of 2013):Assessed fever case management practices and client satisfaction in the public and private sectors through interviews with clients/customers as they exit facilities and other outlets.

FPwatch

FPwatch administered nationally representative surveys to all public and private facilities and outlets with the potential to sell or distribute modern family planning methods in selected regions. Contraceptive commodity audits, along with key informant interviews, provided data that illustrated the contraceptive market environment.

The global Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) Initiative aims to enable 120 million additional women and girls to have informed choice and access to family planning (FP) information and a range of modern contraceptive methods. Strengthening commodity and service delivery is critical in achieving this goal; however, the availability of family planning market data varies greatly among low-income countries. The FPwatch project aimed to fill this gap. Between 2015 and 2017, surveys were implemented in five high-priority FP2020 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The standardized and rigorous methodology used by FPwatch mirrored that of ACTwatch, and provided reliable data for contraceptive global and country-level decision-making, funding management, and policy design. The evidence also allowed for monitoring of FP2020 country data in relation to national commitments and global FP2020 goals.